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…including:
10.15: Sport England Junior Trophy
11.15: TfL Junior/Women’s London Grand Prix
12:00: Hand Cyclist Race
12.45: Bob Chicken London Grand Prix
14.00: Go Ride
14.45: Teams sign on
15.15: ToB Start
16.45: ToB Finish
17.00: Jersey presentations
Ken Livingstone said: ‘As preparations begin to stage the 2012 Olympic Games, the Tour of Britain is putting the capital in the spotlight as one of the best places in the world to host major sporting events. Cycling is increasing in popularity as a participatory and spectator sport and this year’s Tour of Britain will build on last year’s highly successful event. As the cyclists competing for the yellow jersey pass by some of the capital’s historic landmarks for a thrilling finish, I urge Londoners to turn out to cheer them on.’
The race comes as Londoners are showing an increasing enthusiasm for cycling. London-wide cycling increased 23 per cent to May last year compared with 2003/4 and it has increased 62 per cent on Transport for London’s road network since 2001. This is the fastest growth in cycling anywhere in Europe.
In 2004 over 330,000 cycling journeys were made each day. The Mayor and Transport for London are committed to delivering an 80% increase in cycling by 2010. TfL’s cycling budget has risen from £12 million in 2004 to £19.2 million in 2005/06.
Peter Hendy, Managing Director of Surface Transport at Transport for London said:
"TfL is delighted to welcome the Tour of Britain to the streets of London. Cycling is not only a fun and exciting sport but it is also an enjoyable way of getting round the capital. London is a great place to cycle and this race provides a great opportunity for Londoners to be encouraged to take up cycling as a mode of transport or as a fun way to get fit."
With an estimated 100,000 people expected to watch the last stage of the tour, it is also a major boost for tourism in the capital.
London Development Agency Head of Tourism, Anita Thornberry, said: "The Tour of Britain is a fantastic sporting spectacle and a highly popular free tourist event, bringing thousands of extra visitors to London. It shows that the capital, working with partners around the country, is able to deliver major events and it underlines our passion for sport. This is part of our work to bring more high-profile events to London to make the capital an even more exciting, dynamic tourist destination."
According to Visit London, in 2004 65 per cent of Tour of Britain spectators came from outside London and went on to visit other attractions spending around £30 per head.
